Damarious Randall putting Bears game behind him

Third-year cornerback doesn't discuss what happened, preferring to keep the matter internal as well

October 4, 2017

byMike Spofford

GREEN BAY – Packers cornerback Damarious Randall didn’t shed any light on why Head Coach Mike McCarthy sent him to the locker room during last Thursday’s win over the Bears.

He simply said he’s moving on.

“It’s already behind me,” Randall said on Wednesday, his first meeting with reporters since the game. “After Friday, it’s just been behind me, and I’m just taking it day by day.”

Randall reiterated what McCarthy has been saying all along, that it’s an “internal matter.” The 2015 first-round draft pick said he spoke with McCarthy on Friday, and he talked with his teammates as well.

“Everything’s handled and we’re just moving forward as a team,” he said.

Green Bay’s defense gave up a 5-yard touchdown pass to the Bears in the final seconds of the first half on Thursday night, and Randall was visibly upset after the play.

No one has disclosed what happened after that, which led to Randall leaving the sideline and going to the locker room, at McCarthy’s request. Randall said he did not leave the stadium before the game ended.

As for whether the issue will affect his playing time, beginning with the Cowboys game this weekend, Randall said he didn’t know. Asked what he’s learned through the ordeal, he responded: “Just kind of growing up and just being a little bit more professional.”

He later added, “I’ll just do whatever the coaches ask me to do, and do whatever the team needs me to do to win games.”

In the second half last Thursday, Randall’s absence was filled by second-year pro Josh Hawkins, whom McCarthy complimented for a solid performance.

Elsewhere in the secondary, the Packers could be getting back veteran corner Davon House this week. House has missed the last two games with a quad injury but returned to practice on Wednesday on a limited basis.

Rookie second-round pick Kevin King also has seen his playing time increase dramatically since Week 1, and his snaps against Atlanta’s Julio Jones and Cincinnati’s A.J. Green certainly have helped prepare him for a potential matchup against Dallas’ Dez Bryant on Sunday.

“Four weeks of playing ball for him, he doesn’t look like a rookie,” House said of King, whom he refers to as a “little brother.”

“He’s not scared of anyone, whoever’s across the ball. That’s one thing you can’t teach. He wants to be the best. I think we all do, and Kevin is off to the right start right now.”